Chapter 1
Samantha-
I sat blinking looking with one eye, out the window at the mountains far away. This is where they sat me, the thugs the governor sent to grab me. Probably so I would see what I was missing out on or something equally as dumb. This time I might be over my head. He thought I was Samantha the rich bitch who threatened his hard work. It was my turn, I’d gained enough of his attention that I had to be removed. Most of my plans I had back doors, goals, a mission. This time I was caught, a small moment in time I was caught in the open. He must have had his guys there at the right time for them to slip into my defenses. There is only one person who might, might notice i’m missing and care, and another that would know what clues to find. He might care too. It would take a miracle for those two to team up.…
Kid Samantha-
Hands picked me up from my bed and I yawned. “Mommy?” “It’s okay sweetie we are going on a trip, a surprise.” She soothed me and carried me out of my room and got into a car with just a backpack and the clothes on our back.
“Mommy when are we going home? I miss Mrs. Jenny.” “I’m not sure yet Samantha baby.” She frowned over some papers and shoved them in a drawer.”How about we play dollies?” She asked me.
Running to go get my favorite dolly I got ready to play on the hotel bed.
The phone was ringing and mommy was in the shower so I went to pick it up. “Hello?” My little voice echoed in the room. “Is your mom there?” “Daddy?” “I’m not your father anymore. Where’s your mother?” “What do you mean daddy?” “I’m divorcing your mother I have a new family now.” “Why?” I was crying now.
“Sam?” The shower turned off, the motherly instinct of somehow hearing her child cry made her run out. She saw me on the phone and took it from me. Gathering me up in her arms she kissed my head.
“Hello?”
Understanding crossed her face as she looked at me and I shoved my face into her chest. “You know not to call me.” She said and I could only hear my cries after that.
First grade in the outskirts sucked. I was teased for speaking well, and being ahead in most subjects for my age. At least according to the public school system. I soon learned in the beginning that if I asked for a price and helped the kids in return I earned some respect. My mom was always working to support us. She didn’t know anything past my good grades and that I stayed in line. But I was smarter than that. By fourth grade I was the one to go to for homework help and to do a project all for a price. Favors, snacks, cash it just depended on the case. But i’d attracted the wrong crowd too. The bullies didn’t like to pay up.
“Little Samantha the nerd!” A big guy called out, Fredrick, I curled my lip. I tried to ignore them and kept walking. They started tripping me, pranking me, and a few of my main clients started backing off from using my services. That made me angry. I needed some help for once.
Going behind the bleachers in gym class making sure no one saw me I snuck to find the boys. “Hey look what we have here, Samantha.” One of the boys called out the bigger one. The cute one Nox turned around twirling around a pencil and tucked it behind his ear.
“What makes a smart girl come to see us?” “I need some help.” I said shuffling my feet. I didn’t like to ask for help. I did everything myself, alone, always.
“I’ve seen those bullies, bothering you. You want us to do something?” I nodded and stepped closer. “What you have for payment, I don’t take candy and snacks.” “What do you want?” Nox stepped closer and rubbed his hair. “Some help with my math homework it’s algebra, they’re getting me ready for middle.” “Done.” “One more thing.” He said. “What’s that?” He got close to me and whispered in my ear. “At the dance, be my date, and a kiss.” I gasped and took a step back. “The fifth grade dance?” He nodded in answer. I looked over to his friend who was busy on his phone.
“When do you want the… kiss?” I blushed. He took back the step i’d retreated and whispered in my ear. “Now?” “How about you do something today about my issue and i’ll come back tomorrow and we can… do that.” He shrugged like it was no big deal and held out his hand. I held mine out to shake but he took it and turned it over. Nox lightly kissed my hand and stepped back. “Wait and see Sami.”
I’d never let anyone call me Sami, always corrected them. But for some reason with this cute boy who made me blush, i’d allow it. If he held up his end of the deal.
In the cafeteria I sat with my small group of friends. My bff and Fowley, who both were as smart as me but in different ways. And it didn’t hurt we all suffered in the same ways. Being poor in this god awful outskirt going nowhere fast town.
The bullies stood to dump their trays, but they hadn’t finished eating. Oh no, I saw them walking towards us. “Samantha.” My friend said quietly. “I see them, I made a deal, let’s see what happens.” “A deal?” Fowley said frowning.
Nox i’d made a deal with and his three friends all stood up and blocked the way. “We need to get through. We have to throw our food out on the trash.” “Not in the trash.” My bff said noticing his wording.
“Just wait.” I hushed her.
“Trash cans are that way.” Nox said. He folded his arms and his boys copied him. Taking a look at them the bullies glanced over at us at the table. “i’ll see you later.” He said and walked away.
Smiling I looked at my friends and relaxed. Nox looked back at me and winked. Blushing I ate my food quietly.
“Samantha, what did you do?” Fowley asked me. “The usual help with homework and something else.” “Something else?” He asked worried. “I just… have to go to the dance with him. In return for standing up to the bullies for me. Well us really, if you stick close to me you both will be okay too.” “The dance?” Fowley looked disappointed. “There’s always next year for us don’t worry.” I tried to reassure him but he frowned and ate his food. My bff looked at me and smiled without him seeing. “Talk later?” She mouthed and I nodded.
The next day it rained and we didn’t get to go outside. But I knew I’d have to walk home in the rain.
“Hey Sami wait up.” Nox said. He had his bike and pushed it alongside of me. “Hey, i’m sorry I wasn’t skipping out, it’s just the rain.” “It’s cool, let me walk you home. It’s not far from me.” “Oh really?” “Yeah I saw when you moved in a few years ago.” “Oh… my house isn’t that great.” “We all have that kind of place to live in the outskirts.” I nodded and we walked.
“Is your mom home?” “No she works all the time.” “And no dad right?” I frowned and shook my head. “Sorry, I just wanted to make sure. I won’t ask again.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I asked and he smiled in reply but didn’t say anything.
My house had a few big trees in the backyard so we stood underneath them. No car confirmed my mom was gone. “You wanna see my fort?” I said nervous. He nodded and leaned his bike against the tree. It was just a small platform a few boards wide in the tree.
“It’s nice up here.” I shrugged and didn’t know what else to say.
“I’m not sure if i’ll have the money for a dress.” I said suddenly. “I’ll figure it out don’t worry.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah.” He nodded. “Look, I know I asked for a kiss, but i’m not going to make you Sami.”
“Oh.” I turned pink and looked anywhere else than at him. “But, if you want to…” I turned to look at him at that. “Have you kissed many girls?” He rubbed his hands on his legs. “Only a few.” He muttered quietly and I wasn’t sure if it was true.
“I want to.” I said in a shy whisper.
Nox leaned towards me and I met him. Our lips touched and we both pulled back watching each other. “Thank you.” He said after a moment and I saw his cheeks pink too. “Was that okay?” I nodded. “Good.” I wanted to ask if he liked me, but was too shy.
“I’m going to get going, my old man will be looking for me.” He climbed down so I followed.
I was worried he didn’t like me at all now. “Can I walk you to school in the morning?” He asked turned to me. “Yes.” He grinned at me and petaled off.
I smiled and went in the backdoor to my house. It squeaked but I didn’t care how dilapidated it was just then.
We hung out often after that day and the bullies only needed to be reminded a few times to leave me alone.
The day of the dance came at the end of the school year. It was almost summer. Nox held my hand a few times but that was all. I helped with his school work and we’d been close friends. I sometimes would play with him and his boys if they biked to our side of town.
After school he walked me home then handed me a bag and winked. “I’ll see you later, about an hour?” Smiling I peeked inside and saw fabric. “My sister helped.” He rubbed his neck and I was curious what it was. “See you in a bit.”
Inside I tried my hand at curling my hair with my moms curler and i’m not sure if it was right but I tried to copy how i’d seen her do it. I turned to the bag and took the fabric out. I’d hoped it was a dress and I was right. It was a simple sundress purple with a pink belt so it would fit however tight I tied it. Perfect. Also some fancy sandals, a little but but I made them work. Just the my mom came home unexpectedly. Oh no.
“Where are you going so dressed up?” “My friend wanted me to come over, she got me this.” I smiled and twirled. “You didn’t steal it?” “Mom! You know i’m not like that.” I frowned.
“Just had to ask.” She looked so tired. “I’ll be in bed, food will be in the microwave sweetie.” She shuffled down the hallway. She didn’t even say I looked nice, she never noticed me anymore.
I stepped outside, I swear a tumbleweed rolled by. Looking out at the sky I blinked back tears and took a breath.
“You okay?” My date asked. I jumped a little not realizing he was there. He had stood hidden on the side of the house. “Yes.” I made myself nod.
I walked down to him and joined him on the broken sidewalk. “You are beautiful.” He said taking me in. Not that I looked, but that I am.
I grinned and blushed, he wore a button up shirt and black jeans. Black high-tops and had done his hair in a way that made him even cuter. “You’re handsome.” I said shyly. He winked and we walked to school.
Stepping into the fifth grade dance it was a big party. All the girls danced in pretty dresses and there was snacks and punch.
Rubbing the back of his neck Nox took my hand and I smiled, “Drinks?” He asked and got us both one. I sipped mine and took in the room. The gym was transformed.
“Do you want to find my friends, or we can dance?” He added slowly. “Maybe in a bit we can dance? I’m honestly kind of nervous to dance in front of everyone.” He looked relieved. “Okay me too, I just wanted to look tough.” I giggled and we found his friends.
Finding them we talked a little and his cute friend kept looking at me and I tried not to notice. Nox seemed to notice and actually smirked not telling me something. “What?” I asked the two of them. “Can you save me one of your dances?” The boy asked, shifting on his feet. I looked to Nox and he shrugged. “Sure, later though okay?” He looked excited but tried to hide his smile.
“Time for our dance?” My date asked and held out his hand in permission.
“Sure.” He led me to the dance area and we danced around in the middle both nervous to dance in front of others. Clumsy but having fun. His friend came over and Nox left to get punch for us.
His friend was more confident and had more rhythm, he made me laugh a few times and I saw how cute he’d dressed up too. But I had eyes for my own date when he returned. “Alright I’ll take her back, can you keep an eye out.” He asked and I wanted to ask for what but his friend nodded and left.
I opened my mouth to ask but he handed me a drink. “Mmmm, thank you!” I smiled and he winked.
We danced and talked a long time. Finally he led me off the floor and took me to the desserts, “Hey they have cupcakes, do you want one?” He knew I did.
He handed me one with a decoration on top it was a ring with a flower on it. I slipped it on my hand and smiled. “It matches my dress!”
“You ready to get out of here?” He must have seen I was tired. “Sure.” We walked outside and found the sidewalk.
“I’m glad the dress fit.” He said after a while. “I trusted you.” I smiled happy. He looked up at me surprised. “You do?” “Of course.” I took his hand for once feeling brave. His eyes lit up and he took my hand.
“Treehouse?” He asked and I nodded.
Up at the top we sat stargazing. “This was a perfect night.” I said still holding his hand.
“You have some icing on your mouth.” He said looking at me. He sat up and reached up to wipe it as I sat up to. We almost bumped heads and we noticed how close we were. “Can I kiss you Sami?” I blinked and nodded.
Our lips touched and he kissed me and held his mouth there longer than the first time we’d kissed.
Pulling back we blushed and he licked his lips. “Got it.” He smirked, it took me a moment to realize he was talking about the icing.
The last day of school Nox came over and we sat on my treehouse. “Sami, I have to tell you something. I swear I just found out last night.” He looked worried.
“What is it?” I asked watching him. He took my hand and seemed to swallow hard. He glanced down at the front sidewalk and I saw his two friends there.
“Tell me?” I asked softly.
“Sami, i’m moving.” “Where?” “Another town over I think. My old man had to change jobs or something.” “No.” “I know Simi, I’m sorry.” He looked at our hands held together.
“When?” I said shaking my head. “Tomorrow.” “No way, it can’t be.” “Sami, i’ll write you okay? Somehow i’ll find a way to meet up okay?” I was speechless. I nodded as a tear ran down my face.
“Sami please don’t cry, I can’t handle it, I was going to ask you… if you would be my girlfriend.” He wiped it away. “I would have said yes.” He smiled.
“Are you going now?” He frowned, “I have to, the guys came with me to make sure… well that I came home.” “I can’t… you can’t go.” I whispered.
“I made sure the bullies are going to middle, they won’t mess with you okay?” I held his hand tighter. “Thank you.” He brought my hand to his lips softly.
I took in a breath trying to be brave, “Can… I kiss you?” I asked this time.
He smiled a little and leaned in, our lips met for five entire seconds and then he pulled away and left quickly. He ran to the street and I walked him petel away with his friends. His cute friend watched me for a moment and I waited until I couldn’t see them anymore and then I cried.
My friends tried to cheer me up, tried to get me involved with summer activities and it took until almost the end of summer to cheer up to simi normal.
One night I lay on my treehouse and watched the night sky I fiddled with my flower ring and sighed. Writing a note I tied it to my ring and left it there, in the morning it was gone. I’d hoped he was the one who found it.
